17. 12. 97

COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE

1 DECEMBER 1997

A meeting of the Community Services Committee
was held on Monday 1 December 1997 at 4 pm

PRESENT:	Councillor Garry Moore (Chairperson), Councillors Carole Anderton, Graham Condon, David Cox, Anna Crighton, Carole Evans, Ishwar Ganda, Pat Harrow, Lesley Keast and Barbara Stewart.
APOLOGIES:	Apologies for absence were received and accepted from the Mayor.
	Councillor Cox retired at 5.05 pm and was absent for clauses 7 and 8.
	Councillor Harrow temporarily retired from 5.10 pm to 5.20 pm and was absent for part of clause 7.

The Committee reports that:

PART B - REPORTS FOR INFORMATION

1. CULTURAL EVENT RR 5953

The Committee considered a report from Candida Keithley of the Communications and Promotions Unit on the 'Make a Stand' concert held on Friday 21 November 1997 in Cathedral Square.

This provided background to previous events which recognised the cultural diversity of the city together with details of the costs of the event on 21 November 1998 and existing budget provisions.

The Committee decided that:

1. The information be received and the Mayor, Vicki Buck and Hon Mike Moore be congratulated for this initiative and that the Committee affirm its commitment to a respect for cultural diversity in our city of Christchurch.
   
   
2. A budget of $6,000 be granted for this event from Events - Special Projects.
   
   
3. The Strategy and Resources Committee be advised of the recommendation of the Community Services Committee that the sum of $3,710 be granted for this event from Corporate Contingency.

 

2. DEPUTATIONS BY APPOINTMENT - WORKBRIDGE

Ms Yonne Palmer from Workbridge addressed the Committee on the changes proposed in the structure of Workbridge within Christchurch. Funding would in future be transferred from the Community Funding Agency (CFA) vote to the Department of Labour vote and from the beginning of 1998 the existing three offices in Papanui, Riccarton and Christchurch Central would be merged into one.

It was considered this would allow easier access for clients in terms of proximity to bus routes, and car parking would be available for those with disabilities.

The opportunity was taken for members to ask questions of Ms Palmer and the Committee requested that the next report on the EEO programme to the Strategy and Resources Committee include an update on the Council's own progress in the area of staff with disabilities.

 

3. RED CROSS - CANTERBURY PUBLIC LIBRARY PARTNERSHIP RR 6702

The Committee considered a report from Ms Bev Prout, Outreach Librarian, on the partnership between the Canterbury Public Library and the New Zealand Red Cross Inc - Canterbury-West Region, for the delivery for library services to housebound residents.

As from 30 November 1997 the Red Cross library is to close and the Canterbury Public Library and Red Cross have formed a partnership to provide a library delivery service to city residents who are unable to visit a library due to illness, disability or frailty. The Red Cross will provide volunteer couriers to select and deliver materials with the Public Library providing library materials, administration, professional support, training and advice. Some 45 existing clients and 18 volunteers who formed the basis of the previous Red Cross service will form the basis of the new service.

The Committee received the information and agreed that the Red Cross be thanked for offering this service to those residents of Christchurch who are unable to leave their homes to visit their local library.

 

4. COMMUNICATION WITH COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICES RR 6672

Following on from the seminar of the Community Services Committee held on 19 November 1997, members of the Committee discussed further ways in which communication could be improved with the Council of Social Services. It was agreed that the Community Services Committee meet formally with the Council of Social Services and the Council of Christian Social Services on a quarterly basis.

 

5. MAORI COMMUNITY ARTS WORKER RR 6703

The Committee received a report from the Community Arts Worker, Janet Luxton, on possible means of funding the Maori Community Arts Worker position, currently funded by the Christchurch Community Arts Council, for the first part of the 1998 year.

Creative New Zealand (Te Whaka Toi) have provided a grant of $10,000 towards this position on the basis of a partnership being established with another organisation. It is intended that additional funding of $8,000 be provided from within existing budgets for the first six months of 1998 to allow the position to continue. Provision for this position is to be included in the new operating initiatives for discussion during the 1998/1999 budget round.

The Committee agreed:

1. That the appointment of a Maori Community Arts Worker be approved for a contract period of six months as outlined in the report and the issue of 'employer' for this period be discussed with the parties concerned.
   
   
2. That provision be made for ongoing funding in the draft 1998/99 budget for Council consideration.

 

6. CHRISTCHURCH COMMUNITY ARTS COUNCIL - AGM RR 6655

The Committee considered a report on the Annual General Meeting of the Christchurch Community Arts Council which was held on 30 October 1997.

Details of the new executive, President's report and financial report for the year to 30 June 1997 were provided for the information of members.

The Committee decided:

1. That the Community Arts Council be congratulated on its successful AGM.
   
   
2. That a Council representative continue to be appointed to the Community Arts Council, as provided by its constitution, and that this should be one of either Councillor Anna Crighton or Councillor Barbara Stewart.
   
   
3. That a report be brought to the February meeting of the Committee by the Christchurch Community Arts Council on its vision, future projects and funding requirements.

 

7. AVEBURY HOUSE, EVELYN COUZINS AVENUE RR 6681

The Committee considered a report from the Property Services Manager, Lewis Burn, on the responses received to a request for proposals for a lease of Avebury House.

The report indicated that only two expressions of interest were received, from Drug Arm Christchurch and from the Leisure and Community Services Unit Community Arts Worker for a Community Cultural Centre. Both of these proposals would be reliant on Council assistance for capital and operational funding.

The Committee agreed that the matter should be referred to the Housing Review Working Party for investigation as to its suitability for housing purposes concurrent with the further consideration of its use as a Community Cultural Centre as recommended by the Hagley/Ferrymead Community Board.

This matter has also been reported separately to Council from the Parks and Recreation Committee of 3 December 1997.

 

8.

FENDALTON LIBRARY/SERVICE CENTRE - SUPPLEMENTARY

RR 6521

The Committee considered a report on the recommended project delivery process in relation to the proposal that the existing Fendalton Service Centre building be redeveloped or replaced with an integrated/colocated library and service centre. The report also sought further approval to the recommendation, selection and management process for lead consultant and quantity surveyor/cost management consultant.

It was agreed that the recommendations in the report:

1. That the Council adopt the project delivery process as outlined.
   
   
2. That the Council adopt the selection and appointment process as outlined for the appointment of a lead consultant.
   
   
3. That the Council approve the appointment of a quantity surveyor/cost management consultant using a similar process as that outlined for the selection and appointment of a lead consultant.be adopted and that in addition:
   
   
4. A combined joint meeting with the Strategy and Resources, Community Services Committee and Fendalton/Waimairi Community Board be held to consider the project terms of reference and brief when available.

These recommendations have been reported back to Council via the Strategy and Resources Committee.

 

9. ITEMS RECEIVED

The Committee received the following reports:

9.1 Community Trust - Funding Year 2000 RR 6662

The report advised members on the Council Seminar held on Thursday 13 November 1997 to discuss year 2000 projects to be put forward for possible funding by the Community Trust.

Details of the projects discussed at that Seminar and the process to be used in evaluating these were provided.

9.2 Music Centre of Christchurch 6693

Councillor David Cox reported on the second anniversary celebration of the Music Centre.

 

PART C - REPORT ON DELEGATED DECISIONS TAKEN BY THE COMMITTEE

10. SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT

The Committee resolved:

That the Supplementary Report in respect to the Fendalton Library be received. The reason why the report had not been included in the main agenda and why it could not wait for the next meeting were explained to the Committee.

The meeting concluded at 5.45 pm.

 

CONSIDERED THIS 17TH DAY OF DECEMBER 1997

 

MAYOR

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